7 New Year’s Resolutions to Help You Prioritize Self-Care

As the late great Audre Lorde Lorde once said, “Self-care is not self-indulgence, it’s self-preservation, and that’s an act of political warfare.” While those powerful words have particular resonance in the black feminist civil rights world in which Lorde lived, they offer powerful wisdom today to anyone willing to listen.

The world as we know it is rife with stress, illness, trials and tribulations of every size and shape imaginable. It’s hard to be human, that’s a fact. Whether it’s burnout at work, mounting financial stress as inflation soars relentlessly, ever-present climate anxiety, and/or the unsettling and tangible effects of all of the above on mental and physical health, the odds are certainly slim.

Yet, against all odds, taking care of yourself is simply must Become a strong, integral part of your life. While this can take many different forms depending on who you are and what you need, it all comes down to taking intentional steps to prioritize and nurture your physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Ultimately, self-care is a manifestation of self-love, something we could all use. Note: While a self-care practice is beneficial YouIt also benefits anyone you come into contact with because they will have interacted with the best version of you rather than the sloppiest version, and that’s it.

So, as we move forward into 2024, consider treating yourself to one or all of the following 7 resolutions for bold, unbridled self-care.

1. To masturbate, elevate, exalt.

In case you still believe that a kitten dies every time you rub one, or that only singles should indulge themselves, allow us to disabuse you of this idea: masturbation is an incredible form of self-careFrom relief from chronic and menstrual pain to longer life, increased cognitive functioning, a stronger immune system, balanced hormones, improved happiness and better quality sleep, the The health benefits of climax are seemingly countless – even non-orgasmic stimulation can do the trick. masturbation rut?The next time you find yourself questioning yourself, consider digging a little deeper into your soul and your ability to be present in the moment by taking a aware Or tantric approach to personal pleasure.

2. Create a space for erotic hygiene.

How erotic is your relationship with yourself, your body, and the world? Can you answer such a powerful question? Here’s a hint: Eroticism is deeply personal and may or may not include sex itself. “Erotic life, don’t we want it?” asks embodied empowerment facilitator Stefana Serafina, exploring a concept she calls erotic hygiene. “…my shoulders, or yours, ache from hunching over the computer for too many hours, and then your body mechanically moves in the kitchen again and something deep and tender is lost as you, or I, wolf down a sandwich while scrolling through the newsfeed of Whatever the Subject.” Ways to improve your erotic hygiene through pleasure and presence: claiming alone time as needed, taking a break from screens, prioritizing good sleep, good foodand take the time to do NOTHING. Understood?

3. Treat yourself to a whole new atmosphere.

After living until 2023, who doesn’t need some good vibes in their lives, right? From the ultra portable clitoral suction varietyhas mixed orgasmhas “Thump” technology that curls toesThe possibilities are truly endless. 2024 could be the year you finally stop hiding your sex toys from your partner (if that happens not If this sounds like you, know that it will resonate with others.) Better yet, this could be the year you dramatically improve your sex life by Sex Toys Overview in your relationship. A word of advice: opt for safe solutions, non toxic sex toys, clean them properlyAnd don’t be afraid to use lube. Happy New Year to You.

4. Set clear boundaries.

If your boss asks you to take on someone else’s work in addition to your own without a substantial pay raise and without extra hours during the day, say no. Your friend wants to crash on your couch for an extra month without paying rent and won’t even bother to do the dishes? Put your foot downAlready. Your partner cheated on you on you? Your appointment forced you to have sex Or slipped off his condom? Act on it. Or maybe this is a little less dramatic. Maybe you just need to learn not to give in to the social pressures that would push you to go out and drink yourself to death when your body is telling you that you absolutely need dandelion tea and a good novel. Set boundaries. Set them as firmly as you want. There is no shame in saying, “No, that’s too much” or “No, that’s not good for me.”

5. Find time to be active.

Okay, so you work on a computer, like almost everyone else in this modern, technology-driven world. And you’re subject to the same notions of productivity. But no matter how advanced we claim to be, never forget that you’re still flesh and blood and should treat yourself as such. If your body aches from sitting too long, get up and stretch, or go for a walk, or dance to your favorite song. Better yet, establish a routine that works for you. Maybe you commit to doing a half-hour of yoga or Pilates every morning before work. Or maybe you go jogging after work every day. Or Hey, maybe it’s time to get an exercise bike in your office. Find something that works and stick with it.

6. Maintain a spiritual practice, whatever it means to you.

Spiritual practice means many different things to different people. Both religious and non-religious people can benefit greatly from getting in touch with their own sense of the divine/spiritual/sensual/sacred, whether through Kundalini yoga, breath work, meditation, shadowboxing, witchcraftOr Tantra—to name a few. A simple ritual that makes you feel more deeply connected, like you’re part of something bigger than yourself, can go a long way in helping you heal from trauma, whether it’s sexual, physical, and/or emotional. It can also help you stay centered and grounded as you continue to navigate this rocky road that is life.

7. Find sources of joy.

In the daily grind of eat-work-cook-Netflix-sleep-repeat, it’s all too easy to lose track of joy. Yet sources of joy are essential to our well-being as human animals. If you and your partner are in a sexless rut, consider plan sexor a date night. No shame in planning ahead! If you always eat in front of the TV, try a screen-free candlelit dinner and savor every bite of food on your plate. It can be a beautiful experience even if you’re dining alone. If you remember the joy but can’t remember the last time you felt it, go outside and get some sun on your face. The sun East joy, after all. What else? A walk in the woods with a friend, the sparkle in a lover’s eyes, the softness of your cat’s fur on your hand, the thrill of To show creativityThere is joy in all this.

Happy New Year 2024 to all! <3